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One Step Ahead is an extraordinary contribution to the church in New Zealand and beyond. Here is a resource which is especially poignant for all who are serious about worshipping God in spirit and truth. Its survey of issues surrounding worship is revelatory, empowering and prophetic. So buyer beware! Oh it appears nice. It has a well presented participant guide; a very effective leader’s guide; an engaging and insightful collection of DVD clips – all the usual and expected bells and whistles that you hope for when you purchase something like this. And then you begin to use it with your worship team. And this “tame pet” is now seen for what it is. You are now faced with this animal called “worship” which Christians have thought they had domesticated but now through this study is in its natural environment. It is a majestic, wild and powerful animal. You are faced with a choice. Run from it and find another “pet” to stroke in your Christian discipleship; or stay with it and begin to respect it and learn about it. And change. We have.
- Rev Geoff New
Papakura East Presbyterian Church |
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We've been running the One Step Ahead program and it has been great for our music and service leaders. We have been blown away by what we come out with after each meeting together and are often surprised about what we learn. The monthly challenges are a great chance to put that into practice. One Step Ahead rules. It is awesome to know that we can actually train our leaders rather than thrusting a mic in their hands and letting them fumble their way through it
- Kerry Logan
Youth and Young Adults Co-ordinator, Knox Presbyterian Church, Lower Hutt. |
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I had been looking for a teaching resource to use with the people involved with our congregational worship that would get across a more holistic view of worship than the notion that it is an experience generated by the singing of certain kinds of "worship" songs. I think that Steve Worsley's material, One Step Ahead is outstanding. It is ideal for use in a group teaching session with DVD segments plus material for group discussion and interaction as well as personal reflection. As we use it with our congregational worship ministry people it is proving to be an excellent resource.
- Murray Robertson
Senior Pastor, Spreydon Baptist Church |
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I’m very impressed! Not only is the material presented really well, but the subject matter looks relevant, clear, comprehensive and balanced – I like the way you are bringing together elements that aren’t limited to one kind of denomination or church culture. There’s a breadth to it that’s very refreshing and unhindered by the blinkers of a particular denomination… I’m not aware of any other materials as well presented and thought out as these in terms of actual hands-on material. Congratulations on a great resource.
Stuart Townend
Internationally acclaimed writer of the worship songs, ‘In Christ Alone’, ‘How Deep the Father’s Love’ and ‘The Power of the Cross’ |
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We’ve now done four sessions of One Step Ahead at Hamilton Central Baptist Church, with between 25-30 of our Musos (worship leaders or rank-and-file), a couple of technical people and our pastors. It has been led jointly by our Director of Music (a pastor’s wife) and myself.
The message that worship is more than singing and preaching has been well received, though we are still working out the implications of this. One consequence is that, ideally, there would be a lot more forward planning of services and by a wide group of people. We are not there yet, but changes are coming in gradually.
Many thanks for what has obviously been a huge piece of work. My prayer is that it will enrich worship in our churches in the decades to come. Shalom.’
- Derek Allan
Senior Pastor, Hamilton Central Baptist Church |
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We did chapter two last night. What a blessing. This chapter in itself has changed a lot of my thinking about how we not only ‘do’ worship in a corporate setting, but how we use terminology. It would be help for the worship leader to say such things as, “let us worship God as we take up the offering”, “let us worship God in prayer”, “let us worship God as we meditate on the passage I am about to read”, “let us worship God in the next two songs.
Your book is so helpful and I am so pleased with how our worship leaders are enjoying the material. Sola Dei Gloria
- Malcolm Pearce,
The King’s Arms Brethren Church |
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We have been doing the course with our whole music team including sound guys. We have found it really good for promoting useful discussion and have even had some of the younger less enthusiastic guys say that it was a lot better than they thought it was going to be! We are doing one session a month and valuing both the input /educating and the team building that happens concurrently.
- Jill Baines,
Parklands Baptist Church |
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Thanks for sending up the 'One Step Ahead' material we asked for. It is SO good; a really valuable resource. I hope it gets widely used as it offers so much.
- Colin Day
Outreach Pastor, Palmerston North Central Baptist Church |
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This is really good; comprehensive in its scope, practical in its application, contemporary in its context. Plus it reminds us of some core aspects of worship, such as confession, which many of us have lost in our rush to be 'seeker sensitive' and inoffensive. I can't think of a single church whose worship leaders, ministers included, could not benefit by working through this material together.
- Colin Day
Outreach Pastor, Palmerston North Central Baptist Church |
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Indigenous Excellence… is something I love to discover. You gotta hand it to our own Steve Worsley for creating a remarkable resource aimed at up-skilling in ‘worship leading’ – so often the focus of both tension and confusion. A way forward is now available. www.onestepaheadworship.com
- Paul Windsor
Principal, Carey Baptist College
This excerpt from ‘The Carey File’ (Issue #37) |
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One of the key learning and training areas for today's church relates to public worship. We are undergoing huge changes and challenges. How do we re-create authentic biblical worship that relates to today's cultural setting? Wouldn't it be great if we had home-grown resources for this area? Well, we have.
Steve Worsley has put together a superb series which I recommend to you. It is a year long course (using one session per month) of reflection and action, developing the understanding and the practice of gathered worship in it broad facets. Don't leave this area unattended to, or limping off the back of previous forms.
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Lindsay Jones
National Consultant, NZ Baptist Union
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